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MLS bids 'unusual farewell' to Nigel de Jong after Galatasaray move

Nigel de Jong completed a move to Galatasaray on Wednesday and MLS marked the occasion with a video featuring some of his most "notable" achievements in his time with LA Galaxy.

We think it's fair to say that it's a non-traditional farewell!

De Jong's contract with Galaxy had him poised to become a Designated Player at the end of the campaign, taking the place of Steven Gerrard who is widely expected to retire.

According to data from the MLS Players Union, De Jong made $500,000 this season, and had he remained with Galaxy, not only would he have received a salary increase into the multimillion dollar range, but LA would have been at the maximum number of Designated Players (three). For that reason, Galaxy have let the tough-tackling midfielder move on.

De Jong reunites with former Netherlands international teammate Wesley Sneijder at Galatasaray as well as with manager Jan Olde Riekerink, who coached at Ajax during De Jong's days there as a youth player.